VZCZCXRO1887
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #3366/01 3312350
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 272350Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9196
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFISS/HQS USNORTHCOM
RUEAHLA/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 003366
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KCRM SNAR MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO IMMIGRATION AND CBP ESTABLISH VITAL
PARTNERSHIP
1. (SBU) Summary. The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in agreement with
Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB)/Instituto Nacional de
Migracion (INM) launched a trial of the Joint Security
Program for Travelers (JSP) at the Mexico City International
Airport on September 28, 2009. The program establishes a
partnership between CBP and INM that enables the two
institutions to exchange officers at each others ports of
entry. End Summary
Building on a Good Foundation
2. (SBU) The Joint Security Program for Travelers Trial
(JSP) builds on existing U.S./Mexican passenger screening
efforts. Currently, under the U.S. and Mexico Smart Border
Action Plan, commercial air carriers transmit Advance
Passenger Information System (APIS) data to the Government of
Mexico (GOM). Mexico similarly transmits its APIS data to
CBP via the existing CBP APIS infrastructure. The JSP trial
provides the opportunity for CBP officers to exchange best
practices as well as receive valuable insight into Mexican
processes and procedures on the ground at the Mexico City
Airport.
3. (SBU) A team of four CBP officers arrived in Mexico City
on 27 September in order to undertake a 120-day JSP trial.
As part of a coordinated effort with officials from Mexican
Immigration (INM) and Centro Nacional de Alertas (INM
Targeting Center), these officers began joint screening of
flights arriving into Mexico and obtained permission on 13
October to screen U.S.-bound flights. Concurrently, INM sent
four of its officials to Chicago O'Hare Airport CBP
Operations for a one week subject matter exchange and
training.
Expectations are High
4. (SBU) Each country intends to use this unique opportunity
to align procedures and build a foundation for future
cooperation. The CBP team intends to deepen its relationship
with its Mexican counterparts in order to streamline the
Mexican APIS referral process. The U.S. National Targeting
Center-Passenger (NTC-P) will coordinate with CBP JSP team
members in Mexico City and identify positive lookout matches
that include suspected terrorists, visa revocations,
fugitives, and smuggling activities (alien, narcotics,
currency and weapons). In turn, CBP JSP team members will
then coordinate with the GOM, other U.S. law enforcement, and
intelligence community representatives stationed at the U.S.
Embassy in Mexico City to resolve the Mexican APIS hits.
Secondly, the experienced eyes on the ground will also
provide insight into how to identify illicit activity that is
not flagged electronically, for example, impostors attempting
to use a genuine passport or individuals engaged in
trafficking in persons. Finally, the 120-Day trial will
permit CBP and the government of Mexico to validate
conditions for CBP air-side access before entering into a
long-term agreement.
Already Yielding Results
5. (SBU) Since the team arrived on the ground, the JSP
facilitated the arrests of four fugitives, an alien smuggler,
and a drug smuggler with 3.5 kilos of crystal
methamphetamines. Additionally, the team has assisted the
Mexicans in identifying many fraudulent documents.
6. (SBU) Comment. The JSP trial is an important exchange
program for CBP. This opportunity strategically positions
veteran CBP officers at a high risk and major transit hub in
Mexico. The insight into the challenges posed by air travel
in Mexico is critical for future combined operations. This
program's success hinges on the benefits the participants on
both sides derive from it and a willingness to open up
processes and procedures to create shared best practices that
will facilitate passenger travel and the highest level of
MEXICO 00003366 002 OF 002
security at all ports of entry. End Comment.
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
PASCUAL